Collins boys’ basketball ended its weekend pair of games in Owensboro going 1-1 in games against Crockett County, Tenn. and Ballard to finish out its appearance in the Apollo Fairfield Inn Invitational.

“Overall, it was a positive Christmas break for us,” Titans coach Chris Gaither said. “We won five of six games. So far this season two of our three losses have been against top-ten teams in the state.

“I think our team has plenty more room for improvement, which is positive considering our early success.”

Shelby County boys’ basketball had several chances to either tie or take the lead late against Nelson County on Wednesday night, but several late field goal attempts rolled off the rim in a three-point loss.

Down just 56-53 to the Cardinals, SCHS went 0-for-3 in the final 45 seconds of regulation, as time ran out on a comeback bid for Shelby in its first game at the Nelson County Classic.

A strong defensive performance combined with a solid rebounding effort was enough for the Collins boys’ basketball team to defeat Newport, 67-53, in the opening round of the Apollo Fairfield Inn Invitational tournament Wednesday.

The Titans (8-2) shot an efficient 47 percent from the floor on offense while holding the Wildcats (8-3) to just 36 percent in its attempts from the floor in the 14-point victory.

Shelby County boys’ basketball fell behind early in its Wednesday matchup with Atherton, and ended up taking a 63-58 loss at the hands of the Rebels in the Woodford County Invitational Tournament on Wednesday night.

The Rockets (2-8) were forced to play from behind for most of the contest, but almost mounted a late comeback against Atherton (4-6) in the narrow loss.

Playing two games in one day is tough, but competing in eight quarters of basketball over the course of three hours is daunting. The Shelby County girls’ basketball team did just that on Thursday afternoon, playing Russell County and Ballard in back-to-back games and falling short in both.

Ballard 76, Shelby County 49

The Rockets held steady for as long as it could in the second game of a doubleheader before the floodgates opened in the second half and ended in a blowout win for Ballard.

With several players still nursing injuries for Collins girls’ basketball, the team split its Thursday slate of games against Carroll County and Grayson County as a part of the Lady Rocket Holiday Classic tournament.

Grayson County 40, Collins 29

The matchup with Grayson County was a low-scoring one, and with players Mary-Clare Megibben and Trinity Warfield out with ailments, the Titans struggled to make baskets late.

By the end of the first quarter, Shelby County girls’ basketball had proven it was simply more talented than visiting Valley on Wednesday morning.

With eight minutes in the books, the Rockets (2-6) were forcing the Vikings (0-5) to turn over the ball at will, and had built a massive 21-5 lead in the opening round of the Lady Rockets Holiday Classic tournament.